Croque Monsieur Belleville Style
Croque Monsieur Belleville Style
Classic DishCroque Monsieur
Prep: 15 min • Cook: 20 min. A rich, oven-baked Croque Monsieur featuring a generous béchamel sauce, gruyere cheese, and a hint of Dijon mustard baked until golden and bubbling. This version emphasizes a deeper, more complex cheese flavor and a creamy, uniform sauce.
- Preparation time
- 15 min
- Cooking time
- 20 min
- Total time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 2
Instructions
Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
- 1Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden, creating a roux.
- 2Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
- 3Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble the Croque Monsieur
- 1Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- 2Lightly butter one side of each slice of brioche bread. Place two slices, butter-side down, on a baking sheet.
- 3Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of the remaining two brioche slices. Top these with the ham, then generously sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese.
- 4Place the ham and cheese topped slices, mustard-side down, onto the bread on the baking sheet, creating sandwiches.
- 5Evenly spread the prepared béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, ensuring full coverage.
- 6Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere cheese over the béchamel sauce.
Bake and Serve
- 1Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbling.
- 2Remove from the oven and let rest for a minute before serving hot.
Nutrition Information
- Calories
- 951 kcal
- Protein
- 45 g
- Fat
- 56 g
- Carbs
- 70 g
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 951 kcal |
| Protein | 45 g |
| Fat | 56 g |
| Carbs | 70 g |
Tips
- For an even richer flavor, use a full-fat milk and consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the béchamel.
- Keep an eye on the croque monsieur during baking to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor; a side salad complements this dish well.
